For example, Routledge and Arndt (2007) found that increasing death-thoughts led to increased willingness to self-sacrifice for one’s nation. They conclude that this can be seen as an effort to manage existential anxieties by creating “symbolic identity”. They use these findings to explain why terrorists may commit suicide. Indeed, North Dakota State University graduate student and researcher, Jacob Juhl has found preliminary evidence that “compared to literal immortality [e.g., heaven], symbolic immortality seems to be a stronger means in which religion helps manage concerns about death”. That is, being part of something significant may be more important than living consciously after death. However, symbolic immortality is not remotely religious, as evidenced by Christopher Hitchens’ quote. Therefore, it would seem likely that symbolic immortality is something that all humans strive for, in ways such as keeping a dialogue alive, like Hitchens, or being an amazing musical artist, like Michael Jackson. Additionally, if it is indeed the case that individuals, such as atheists, strive to be remembered and thus should be motivated to do good things, then it is likely that one can indeed be “good without god”.

Special thanks to Jacob Juhl for his input.

Atheist Hitchens skipping prayer day in his honor. By Jay Reeves, Associated Press.

Unanswerable prayers. By Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair

Routledge, C. & Arndt, .J (2007). Self-sacrifice as self-defence: Mortality salience increases efforts to affirm a symbolic immortal self at the expense of the physical self. European Journal of Social Psychology, 38, 531-541

By, Adam K. FettermanChristopher Hitchens, author of numerous books regarding the topic of atheism and religion and one of the “Four Horsemen of Atheism”, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer just before starting his latest book tour. There are some noticeable consequences of his diagnosis. One particular consequence of his illness is a national “Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day”. According to Jay Reeves and Hitchens, the origins of this prayer day are not exactly known. However, some may consider it spit in the face. Hitchens does not seem to see it this way, and thanks those who are praying for his good health, but also asserts it will do nothing more than make those praying feel better and if so, that is fine with him. However, according to Hitchens and Reeves, there are three types of prayers going on in his name. First, there are those praying for his health. Second are those praying for him to find god. Which god? It appears mostly the Christian one. Finally, there are the prayers for Hitchens to suffer a painful death, and that the torture continues in hell.

This third type, not only lends credence to ideas put forth about religion by Hitchens and other atheists, but it may also reflect a belief in a just world. Most people believe that things happen for a reason. That is, good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people (Pepitone & L’Armand, 1998). According to Pepitone and L’Armand, the strongest belief comes with the former, but there is still evidence that people believe in that latter. These beliefs are particularly strong amongst the religious (Pepitone & L’Armand, 1998). Perhaps because they believe that a god has a plan or has control the world. Therefore, it is not entirely surprising that web commentors and letter-writers are sending Hitchens messages that he is getting his “just desserts” and other horrendous diatribes. As a side note, a lot of these comments appear to be coming from those with a Christian background, of which many Christians would prefer to disassociate with. With that in mind, one may notice that this is not the way Christians ought to act. One possible explanation is that, when compared to Jewish individuals, Protestants view belief as more important than practice (Cohen, Siegel, & Rozin, 2002), though this explanation is merely speculation.

At any rate, Christopher Hitchens, as always, may the science of medicine keep you comfortable and with us for a long time to come.

-In two weeks: Part 2. Symbolic immortality.

Atheist Hitchens skipping prayer day in his honor. By Jay Reeves, Associated Press.

Unanswerable prayers. By Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair

Pepitone, A. & L’Armand, K. (1998). The justice and injustice of life events. European Journal of Social Psychology, 26, 581-597.

By, Adam K. FettermanRichard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Chrisopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris, and atheists in general, have a reputation of being arrogant and angry. It is likely that some atheists deserve this reputation, even some mentioned above. However, the evidence for the reputation are often misunderstandings, mischaracterizations of context, and most often “heard it from someone else”. For example, one of the most prominent atheists, Richard Dawkins, is often characterized as an angry and inflammatory prick. He may in fact be such a person, but most of the evidence is unfounded, such as out of context quotations, and again, word of mouth. Therefore, any atheist looking forward to an entertaining tongue lashing by purchasing one of his publications may be disappointed, not by the content, but by the lack of “prickishness”. The same goes for many atheists. Ask any atheist how people react to him/her saying they do not believe in a god or defending their beliefs, and you will often hear they are accused of being rude or insensitive. All the while, think of how often one hears a religious individual referring to their faith (e.g. thanking God, asking for prayers for the sick, “blessing” people etc.). So why is it that atheists get this reputation and not the religious?

Terror Management Theory (TMT) is a social psychological theory explaining that since humans have awareness of their mortality, they have bouts with existential terror and this is reflected in their behavior. According to Greenberg and Kosloff (2008), when someone has a differing worldview, one may respond with increased prejudice, stereotyping, and anger. They indicate that this is because worldviews (including religion) are vital to managing existential threat, and they must defend them in any way possible. Atheists are a noted minority. They, therefore, challenge widespread worldviews and compound it by challenging a specific worldview (i.e. religion) that is a particularly strong way people deal with existential threat. It is likely that this is the reason atheists have gained their reputation, regardless of if they are. That is, it may be the way the religious deal with perceived threat.

-To Christopher Hitchens: May the science of medicine keep you with us for many more years.

Examples of how atheists are viewed:Anatomy of an angry atheist: Part 1. By, Alan Lurie – Huffington Post